The first few weeks of August at Howard University mean different things to different students. For first-years, it’s time to move in, make new friends and begin finding your place on the campus you worked so hard to get into. Your first year as a freshman is the foundation for success at ‘The Mecca.’
At the time, I believed success meant doing everything I could to fit in and that everything else would fall into place from there. Join every organization, attend every function and make as many connections as possible. It took me much longer to realize that trying to do everything can sometimes distract you from what matters most.
Now, as a senior, I want to offer the advice I wish I had received as a freshman: you don’t have to do everything; you just have to be intentional about what you do choose.
Advocate for yourself.
From the moment I was accepted into Howard, I found myself advocating for myself by repeatedly calling the Office of Financial Aid about my aid not being applied, an experience that taught me an important lesson early on: document everything you deal with on campus. Keep records of emails, conversations, forms and anything else related to issues you may have to resolve on campus.
“Unfortunately, a common event will be dealing with administration or financial aid issues and [experiencing] the ‘Howard run-around,’” Ashley Bickerstaff, class of 2024 alumna, reflected. “HBCUs can be disorganized and slow to communicate, but as students, we must advocate for ourselves, even when it feels like we’re asking for too much.”
Being persistent does not make you difficult. Your education is your own, and learning how to navigate obstacles and advocate for yourself along the way is just as important as what you learn in the classroom.
Build communities that last, not just ones that are convenient.
At Howard, you encounter people from all walks of life. I know this firsthand because I’m often the only person someone on campus has ever met from Alaska. Coming from a place so far away from Washington, D.C. taught me that building meaningful, long-lasting relationships sometimes requires a little inconvenience.
When assignments pile up, extracurriculars demand more of your time and energy and your community needs you, make the effort to show up. The relationships you build at Howard can extend far beyond your time on campus, so don’t let the Howard bubble, the constant events and high-profile attendees change how you show up for the people you care about.
“I don’t want anyone to feel like I don’t value them as a person,” said Aja Rashid, a senior biology major from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. “After I’ve talked to you three times, you’re no longer an acquaintance — you’re part of my life. I want to make sure you feel valued and know that you’re important to me.”
Rashid’s remarks allowed me to consider a different perspective: to value people beyond convenience. Communities can last a lifetime, and nurturing the right ones can go a long way, not only as you matriculate through Howard, but long after you graduate.
Finances take time to figure out.
Bickerstaff and Rashid both experienced financial challenges, and so did I. Learning how to make money and support yourself in college is something few people prepare you for before leaving home. Having it all figured out during your first year is rare, but, like most important life lessons, financial freedom and independence take time and practice.
Budgeting and time management skills will come in handy as you grow at Howard. Taking the income you receive and all the expenses you incur throughout each semester is a simple yet effective way to start budgeting as a new college student.
Use your resources.
A mentor, a trusted professor and a reliable place to study can greatly enhance your college experience. I took this advice seriously during my sophomore year, and in doing so, many aspects of my time at Howard were much smoother. While I never had a mentor, I’ve leaned heavily on professors who have supported me throughout my time on campus. They’ve seen me grow, complain, smile and learn over the past four years, and their guidance has been invaluable. I strongly encourage you to seek out those relationships as you begin making your own mark on The Yard.
Bickerstaff emphasized the importance of maintaining authentic relationships, especially with alumni, administrators and professors.
“Sometimes an opportunity comes down the line and they think of you. Relationships that start authentically tend not to be transactional,” Bickerstaff said. “If you click with a professor, maintain the relationship by emailing and keep them updated on your life.”
Something as simple as sending an email can keep the connections you build stronger than you might realize. Just because you don’t see the value of it now doesn’t mean a quick message to a professor from your first year won’t open a door or strengthen a relationship years down the line.
Have fun and do not let fear make choices for you.
While it is important to stay on top of your grades and be present in class, you will truly never have as much time in college as you do now. Enjoy it, because before you know it, you’ll be a senior reminiscing on how fast time flies.
Another thing to keep in mind is not letting fear decide your choices. Some of the greatest opportunities in my life have come from refusing to let fear make decisions for me. If I had allowed fear to hold me back, I wouldn’t be at Howard in the first place.
Freshman year is going to teach you a lot about yourself. You’ll join an organization, crash out occasionally and go on so many side quests that you’ll wonder how you ever made it to your 9 a.m. class the next day. That’s part of what makes your first year at Howard so special. If you’re a first-year student reading this, stop trying to figure everything out right away. Experience Howard for what it is, make mistakes, have fun and learn who you are along the way.
Copy edited by Jori Johnson